And then it’s even more local than that
While you’re at the ballot box, we hope you’ll also pay attention to uber-local races for the state legislature. There are three Democratic primaries happening in Portland. Here’s a quick refresher:
Munjoy Hill / Old Port (House District 120)
Local icon and community organizer ED DEMOCRACY, who’s worked on campaigns to bring affordable housing and a food cooperative to Portland, will face DIANE RUSSELL, a founding board member of Opportunity Maine (the state's student-loan tax break program) and a citizen board member of Common Cause Maine. With Democracy and Russell so closely aligned on the issues, this race will likely come down to a question of style: Do you prefer Democracy’s somewhat wacky earnestness, or Russell’s more polished PR panache?
There will also be something of a Green Independent primary; former school board member BEN MEIKLEJOHN announced earlier this week that he’ll wage a write-in campaign against newcomer SANDY AMBORN, who’s been in the race for months. Winners of these primaries will face Republican Peter Doyle in November.
Northern Portland (House District 114)
This race to fill Democrat Boyd Marley’s seat pits JUSTIN COSTA — a recent college grad who’s already racked up an impressive resume working for national progressive campaigns — against PETER STUCKEY, an established community advocate who recently retired from his position at the People’s Regional Opportunity Program (PROP). Both candidates lack much legislative experience and see eye to eye on the issues; the winner will run against Republican candidate Morton Soule.
Portland (Senate District 8)
This one’s a three-way race, between two upstart 30-somethings — JUSTIN ALFOND and CLIFF GINN — and the more experienced (if less exciting) ANNE RAND. All of these candidates have impressive resumes and good qualifications for the job. Alfond, in his former post as executive director of the state’s League of Young Voters, ran a tight ship, gained respect for that organization, and achieved a number of legislative victories. Ginn has experience in the social-services sector, as a former attorney for the Disability Rights Center, and then as president of Opportunity Maine. Rand, a former nurse, currently serves as state representative for District 120; she was first elected to the state house in 1986 and this is her ninth legislative term. Whoever wins will battle Green Independent Kevin Gardella and Republican Eric Lusk in the general election.
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